The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 6

Zachary's naive yet blunt words pierced my heart like a needle.

In his moment of illness and vulnerability, he was still thinking of the woman who had caused him to become sick.

I looked down at him.

He was clearly exhausted after his stomachache, as he had fallen asleep again after saying that.

Steven must have heard Zachary's words, too. He took my hand. "Honey."

I felt no inclination to respond. I instinctively wanted to pull away.

However, Steven tightened his grip, not allowing me to withdraw. "Today was just an accident. Mom acted without consulting us, and Zachary was sick. He didn't mean what he said."

"I can understand him," I replied, holding Zachary as I started to walk toward the exit. "He likes Jessica now. Of course, he's going to think she's wonderful."

After a pause, I continued, "Since I banned him from contacting her, his resistance will be strong at first. But Zachary isn't a bad kid. I'll guide him back to understanding who truly cares for him. "But I hope you can keep your word. I can overlook today's incident as a mistake, but I don't want there to be a next time."

As I spoke, I stopped.

Fearing I would tire myself, Steven took Zachary from my arms. "I promise that I'll do better, honey."

I looked at the sleeping child in Steven's arms and fell silent.

...

Steven parked the car when we arrived home. Seeing Zachary peacefully asleep, I didn't want to wake him up.

Just as I was about to carry him inside, Steven was already standing by the passenger door. His voice was soft as he said, "I'll do it."

Then, he effortlessly lifted Zachary with one hand while extending the other toward me.

I

tall frame and handsome features, making him seem almost like a celestial being. "Let's go

his hand and stepping

placed Zachary in

took a small basin of warm water to his room. Steven helped by

even as I finished drying him off and dressed him in his pajamas. He would grunt

seeing that, Steven simply smiled indulgently. He tossed the towel into the basin and left the room with the basin in

seated at the edge of

me had worsened recently. Whenever we spoke, he grew impatient and lashed out before I could even respond calmly. The only times we seemed to coexist peacefully were when he was asleep.

arms around his neck and stared at

light with his elbow and closed Zachary's bedroom door. "Do you remember what

going to the hospital. But

then, I thought about how Jessica was already causing trouble for Zachary even before Steven and I had divorced. What would happen after the divorce? Would

couldn't let our family fall apart

remember what had happened before going to the hospital.

door. He cradled my face and

His lowered voice carried a tone of

chuckled softly. His tone was playful as he asked, "Have you remembered

me, but I wasn't

eyes, my

sheets. My cheeks, flushed from our kiss, glowed with a vibrant charm. Steven swallowed hard. "Then, I guess I'll just have to

...

of the day, compounded by exhaustion that night, weighed heavily on

just been admitted to the hospital due to

to rise early and

make the oatmeal softer and more mushy. I started by boiling water on high heat, then switched to low to let it simmer. Glancing at the clock, I noted that it was still early-only

everything. I only started cooking when it was around Zachary's

was sautéed vegetables, and the other